Paris Saint Germain are back on top of Ligue 1 following a 4-2 win over title-rivals Olympique Lyonnais. The Parisians next take on Lille in another heavyweight clash on the other side of the international break.
Kylian Mbappe’s brace helped Paris Saint Germain gain away victory over Lyon in the Ligue 1 match on Sunday. Mauricio Pochettino’s side took advantage of Lille slipping up in their league encounter and now top the French league with just eight games left to play.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a strike from inside the box. On-loan midfielder Danilo Pereira doubled their lead in the thirty-second minute, and Angel Di Maria added a third just after the break. Mbappe then created history, as he became the youngest player to reach the 100-goal mark in Ligue 1 history, netting his second of the match with a sublime finish from just outside the box.
There was a late fightback from Lyon with Maxwel Cornet (62′) and Islam Slimani (81′) halving the deficit. However, it turned out to be too little and too late as the Parisians cruised to a victory over the title rivals.
Meanwhile, Lille’s slip up at Nimes earlier meant that PSG moved atop the pile for the first time in over two months. Christophe Galtier’s men were shocked by the relegation-threatened side, who beat Les Dogues 2-1 owing to Moussa Kone and Renaud Ripart’s goals. Xeka pulled one back for the hosts, but it proved futile in the end.
Lille will visit PSG on the other side of the international break, with the match between the two expected to be the title decider. The two sides are currently level on points – 63 each – but the Parisians are on top courtesy of goal difference. Pocchetino’s side will host Lille on April 3rd.
Lyon’s defeat leaves them on 60 points with eight matches left to play, and they suddenly find themselves in a fight for the final UEFA Champions League spot. Niko Kovac’s Monaco is hot on their tails following their recent 4-0 win over Saint-Etienne, with just a solitary point separating the two sides.
